Article Image

HP’s Chromebook convertible gets major upgrade with 11th-gen Intel processors

HP's premium convertible Chromebook x360 14c just got a big upgrade under the hood, thanks to Intel's 11th Gen processors. Configurations start at $649.

HP’s premium convertible Chromebook x360 14c is getting a major upgrade under the hood with Intel’s 11th-gen processors. With the refresh, the Chromebook x360 14c can be outfitted with Intel’s Core i5 processor alongside up to 256GB of solid-state storage, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and Wi-Fi 6 support. HP claims that the updated model will get up to 10.5 hours of battery life.

As a premium device, the Chromebook 14c will get a design with three-sided micro-edge bezels that support an 88% screen-to-body ratio in a form factor that measures just 17.95mm thin and weighs 3.67 pounds. The laptop has a 14-inch FHD display that’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass to help with durability, a 360-degree geared hinge to adjust the screen to various positions for work and play, and a metal design. And for those who prefer to interact with the touchscreen, the Chromebook x360 14c also supports a USI Pen for enhanced productivity and creativity in note-taking, drawing, and editing applications.

Other features include a full-size backlit keyboard, oversized touchpad, and access to a fingerprint reader. There are dual up-firing speakers tuned by Bang & Olufsen. If you need to tune in to a video chat, the Chromebook x360 14c also comes with a 720p HD webcam with dual array digital microphones.

Configurations for the Chromebook x360 14c start at $649, and HP is marketing this device to students, remote workers, and casual creators. At $649, you’re getting a configure-to-order model with an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 processor alongside a 128GB solid-state drive. Various configurations will be made available this month through HP’s website and online at Best Buy. Pricing for upgraded configurations was not available. At its price point, the Chromebook x360 14c will compete against other premium models, like Samsung’s metal-clad Chromebook 2, though that model has a QLED display, and Google’s Pixelbook Go.

In addition to the productivity enhancements, with this refresh, HP is promoting the device’s sustainability.

“The Chromebook x360 14 is part of the world’s most sustainable PC portfolio with an EPEAT Gold certification,” the company said in a prepared statement. “Its premium design features a cover made from seamless recycled aluminum; other laptop components use recycled materials including ocean-bound plastics.”

The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.

The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.

Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.

"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.

I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.

However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.